supply???

i know most of you aren't wondering what happened to my supply or is ryder still breastfeeding?  but for the sake of documentation and my "baby book" i want to update.  the combo of hormones and being sick made my supply tank and on top of it ryder was going through a growth spurt and there was NO way i could possibly keep up with his demand.  he was taking over 12 ounces in 3 hours!!!  hungry little guy!  after making a good dent in my freezer stash of milk i decided to supplement with formula.  it was hard on me for both babes the first time i gave them a bottle of formula, but fed is best!!!  i was interested to see if 1- he would take it (and YES he did, happily!) and 2- if he would sleep better at night if he had formula as his last feeding (and NO it did not make a difference).  i had to supplement for 3 days until my supply returned in full force!  i am back to where i should be, but continue to give him a bottle of formula here and there so i can replenish my stash, i want him to have the benefits of breast milk as long as possible, so i continue to freeze any excess.

my goal with both babes was always 1 year.  with bowie she was exclusively breastfed for 2 months before introducing donor milk and then with formula around 3 months.  i was able to breastfeed her until 6 months although the majority of her calories were coming from formula.  and she was able to have a serving of frozen breast milk until about 9 months old.  with ryder my goal is still 1 year, but i don't want to put an end date on it.  we are still going strong, i was worried that the supplementation may be the beginning of the end for us, but it was short lived. 

i love seeing his double chin and chunky legs and know that my body continues to nourish him even outside of the womb.  he is healthy and thriving and i am proud of my body for growing this perfect little being.